Women Wanted For War Work

Women Hoeing at Arlesey House, 1917 [Z49/495]

Saturday 15th May 1915: The Bedfordshire Branch of the National Service League (N.S.L.) has offered to assist the Bedford Labour Exchange in registering women who are willing and able to help in the war effort, and the Women’s Branch of the Labour Exchange has opened a National Service League Register. The N.S.L. is distributing Board of Trade Forms throughout the county. When these are returned applicants will be sent enrolment cards and advised of employment opportunities. While many women are already doing war work, there are still many capable women and girls who could take the place of men who could then be released for army service. It is understood that women are required in the following areas:

To work as shop assistants, in clerical work, or any other work which will release men to fight.

To work in agricultural districts.

For farm work, dairy work, leather stitching, brush making, clothing machining, light machining for armaments etc.

In ammunition factories and clothing factories.

The N.S.L. Secretary at Headquarters is watching this experiment with the Labour Exchange with great interest and has asked for a report on the results.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 14th May 1915